Fritillaria persica aka Persian Fritillary

Fritillaria persica is a bulbous perennial in the lily family. Its common names include Persian lily and Persian fritillary. It grows on rocky slopes in the Middle East. Its range includes Turkey, Syria, Iran, Jordan and Israel. This plant grows from bulbs and has an upright form. Its leaves fall away each year. In gardens, it reaches about 1–3.3 feet [0.3–1 metre] tall. Its spread can reach about 1.6 feet [0.5 metres].

Stiff stems bear narrow, lance-shaped leaves with a grey-green cast. The leaves may twist along their length. Tall flower clusters rise above the foliage in spring. Each raceme can hold as many as 30 flowers. The narrow bells hang down from the stem. Their shades include plum, deep purple, brown and grey-green. Missouri Botanical Garden lists bloom time as May to June. Chicago Botanic Garden also records blooms in March and April. The flower spikes add height and colour to spring borders.

Grow Persian lily in rich soil with plenty of humus. Good drainage matters more than the choice of soil texture. It accepts acid, neutral and alkaline soils. Full sun suits it, though light shade is also possible. Afternoon shade helps in areas with hot summers. Give it moderate moisture while it grows. For lasting clumps, Chicago recommends soil that dries from mid- to late summer. Missouri recommends planting bulbs in fall, 0.5 feet [0.15 metres] deep. Space them about 0.75–1 foot [0.23–0.3 metres] apart. A winter mulch helps protect the bulbs. It suits USDA zones 5–8 and has RHS hardiness rating H4.

Use it in sunny beds, rock gardens or naturalized plantings. Groups show off the tall flower spikes. It also suits pots and courtyard gardens. Bulbs can divide over time and form larger clumps. Chicago notes that lasting plantings need more exact growing conditions than annual displays. The flowers attract butterflies, and deer tend to avoid the plant. No pruning is needed. Divide offsets in late summer to raise more plants. Seeds need a cold spell before they sprout.

Poor drainage can cause serious bulb rot. Missouri also lists leaf spot, rust and mosaic virus. RHS reports that disease is not usually a problem. Slugs, snails and lily beetles may harm the plant. Treat the bulbs as ornamental, not as food. RHS warns that they can harm people and pets. Wear gloves and other protective gear when handling them.